That's the nature of this business - live and learn!!

Public sewer and trash are other utilities that are frequently municipal utility services, and as such a tenant's failure to pay could lead to a lien against the property.Of special note in PA is natural gas service in the City of Philadelphia, because the gas supplier in Philadelphia is the municipal utility called PGW.

So naturally I went and got my license!  

Real estate agents, especially the good ones, can be very helpful when it comes to running "comps", an analysis of what other houses in the area are selling for, similar in nature.

Also, that person is going to gravitate naturally to the person in the group with the most experience in doing deals.  

Asbestos can become airborne from the wind blowing across soil that naturally contains asbestos.

Does it matter if that was theft, natural disaster, tenant caused problem, maintenance issue (like water damage because pipe bursts etc)?

And they should, as the nature of the transaction, and the parties, vary greatly (or that is the assumption). 

Ultimately just pick your market and as things change you'll start seeing the niche area you naturally do better in.

If there are nearby big-boy subs going in sometimes guys I know will go with those agents just to have a ready-made "in", i.e. that agent/agency is already working the subdivision so it's a natural push if they get someone that complains about cookie-cutter.2.